Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Leaf Extract Improves Growth, Feed Utilization, Digestive Enzymes and Blood Metabolites in Broiler Chickens

Faculty Veterinary Medicine Year: 2025
Type of Publication: ZU Hosted Pages:
Authors:
Journal: Veterinary Medicine and Science WILEY Volume:
Keywords : Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Leaf Extract Improves    
Abstract:
ABSTRACT Background: Ziziphus spina-christi has been a part of traditional medicine for centuries in North Africa and the Middle East. Numerous secondary metabolites have been isolated from this plant, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin C and bioactive polysaccharides. Therefore, using Z. spina-christi leaf extract (ZSLE) is one of the recommendations for improving poultry performance and health. Objectives: The goal of this studywas to explore the influences of ZSLE as a feed additive on broiler growth, carcass traits, digestive enzymes, immunological and antioxidant parameters, lipid profile and blood metabolites. Methods: A total of 250 one-week-old Arbor Acres broilers were distributed into 5 groups; each group contained 5 replicates with 10 birds each. The treatments were (1) basal diet (no additive, ZSLE-0), (2) basal diet + 2 g ZSLE/kg (ZSLE-2), (3) basal diet + 4 g ZSLE/kg (ZSLE-4), (4) basal diet + 6 g ZSLE/kg (ZSLE-6) and (5) basal diet + 8 g ZSLE/kg diet (ZSLE-8). Results: Z. spina-christi reduced feed intake while improving body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). During the 3–6 and 1–6 weeks, birds fed ZSLE-4 improved FCR compared with the other birds (p < 0.05). Compared to ZSLE- 0, ZSLE-6 and ZSLE-8 had substantially greater gizzard and giblet percentages. However, ZSLE had no effect on carcass, dressing, liver or heart percentages. Birds fed ZSLE-4, ZSLE-6 and ZSLE-8 showed increases in amylase, lipase, protease, haemoglobin % (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) count (p < 0.05). ZSLE supplementation had no effect on aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p > 0.05), whereas ZSLE-4 and ZSLE-6 decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p < 0.05). All ZSLE-supplemented groups showed improvements in total protein, globulin and lipid profiles. ZSLE significantly decreased cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and LDL/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio. HDL was increased in ZSLE-4, ZSLE-6 and ZSLE-8 (p < 0.05). Birds fed ZSLE-6 and ZSLE-8 improved the immunoglobulins (IgA, IgY and IgM), bursa of Fabricius%, thymus% and spleen% compared with the other birds (p < 0.05). Additionally, lysozyme and C3 showed a significant linear influence. All ZSLE-supplemented groups showed low blood glucose, creatinine, uric acid and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05). ZSLE improved antioxidant capacity, and ZSLE-6 and ZSLE-8 showed the highest reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Collectively, ZSLE exhibits growth-promoting, immunostimulant, antioxidant and hypolipidemic properties and can be employed as a natural extract in the diet of broiler chickens.
   
     
 
       

Author Related Publications

  • Mayada Ragab Farag Awadallah, "Ameliorative impact of taurine on oxidative damage induced by Ipomoea carnea toxicity in wistar male rats through modulation of oxidative stress markers, apoptotic and Nrf2 pathway", Elsevier, 2021 More
  • Mayada Ragab Farag Awadallah, "A comprehensive review on the health benefits and nutritional significance of fucoidan polysaccharide derived from brown seaweeds in human, animals and aquatic organisms", Wiley, 2021 More
  • Mayada Ragab Farag Awadallah, "Palliative Effects of Spirulina platensis Against Cadmium Induced Hepaotoxicity in Albinob Rats", Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 More
  • Mayada Ragab Farag Awadallah, "Differential susceptibility of kidneys and livers to proliferative processes and transcriptional level of the genes encoding desmin, vimentin, connexin 43, and nestin in rats exposed to furan", elseiver, 2018 More
  • Mayada Ragab Farag Awadallah, "Evaluating the ameliorative efficacy of Spirulina platensis on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in cadmium-intoxicated rats", springer, 2016 More

Department Related Publications

  • Sabry Mohamed Shehata, "Influence of Dietary CHO and Protein Sources on Digestibility, Rumen Parameters and Weight Gain of Male Goats.", Benha Vet.Med., 2006 More
  • Asmaa Mohamed Said Musa, "Growth Performance, Semen Quality and Health Status as Affected by using ‎Panicum Maximum in Rabbits Feed", Unique ‎Scientific ‎Publishers(USP)‎, 2021 More
  • Asmaa Mohamed Said Musa, "IMPACT OF REPLACEMENT CLOVER HAY BY IN PANICUM MAXIMUM (GUINEA GRASS) HAY AS AN ALTERNATIVE FEED RESOURCE RABBIT FEEDING", Egyptian Journal ‎of Rabbit ‎Science (EJRS)‎, 2020 More
  • Asmaa Mohamed Said Musa, "EFFECT OF SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES AND/OR spirulina platensis ON GROWTH, HEMATOBIOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT STATUS, HORMONAL PROFILE, IMMUNITY, AND APOPTOSIS OF GROWING RABBITS EXPOSED TO THERMAL STRESS", Egyptian Journal ‎of Rabbit ‎Science (EJRS)‎, 2022 More
  • Asmaa Mohamed Said Musa, "Growth, Carcass Traits, Blood Hematology, Serum Metabolites, Immunity, and Oxidative Indices of Growing Rabbits Fed Diets Supplemented with Red or Black Pepper Oils", Multidisciplinary ‎Digital Publishing ‎Institute (MDPI)‎, 2018 More
Tweet